Post by vicki on Dec 15, 2011 12:10:18 GMT -7
The encampment continues to be a controversial and divisive issue within Occupy Missoula and affiliated groups. The following message was sent to a person who, in recent messages to the Communication Work Group, has advocated continued OM encampment on the courthouse lawn. In response, I advocate objective evaluation of the costs and benefits of keeping the encampment going through the winter. I believe that such an evaluation would conclude that nothing good would come of it. The email message I sent to this person this morning, with cc’s to the Comm Wk Gp, is as follows:
I take exception to the notion that, "We all must do what we feel is best from our own perspectives." We all joined a local group that expresses, in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street, a national outrage at corporate governance of our nation. And yet, we as a group are becoming splintered by distractions such as the encampment. If something is not done very soon to focus the scattered energies of all occupiers in Missoula on a few common goals, our movement in this great city will likely not be standing in solidarity with anything or anyone.
I submit that we all must do what is in the best interest of Occupy Missoula in Solidarity with Occupy Wall Street. That means keeping our eyes on the big picture and strengthening the local movement. Occupy Missoula would be well-served if we could all put aside our personal opinions and agendas for a time and careful study the costs and benefits of keeping the encampment going in whatever form serves our objectives best.
The encampment has been the singular topic of most GA's. Dramas. Conflicting reports of conditions. Desperate calls for support from the most vulnerable members of our movement. I took several days off from work to try to figure out what was actually going on with the campers. What I saw at that time (when Biscuit, Kelsey, Robert and Rachelle were still there) did not reflect well on Occupy Missoula, not because of the campers but because Occupy Missoula was not supporting the encampment in a coordinated, effective manner.
It is my opinion that Occupy Missoula is too small to support a 24/7 encampment on the courthouse lawn. I for one have already given more money and more time to the support of the encampment than I can afford (even though I have favored de-campment since early November for practical and humanitarian reasons.) If those in favor of continuing Occupy Missoula support of a 24/7 encampment are willing to pony up the time and money it will take to maintain the encampment in a manner that effectively advances the goals and objectives of our movement, I say, present your plan and budget for this action for evaluation by all those from whom you expect support. But don't ask me for another nickel, I have already given more than my fair share to the encampment. And don't ask me for another minute of my time, because I choose to move forward with other work on behalf of Occupy Missoula.
In closing, so that that is no misunderstanding about the perspective from which this message comes, I have for decades been an advocate for and good neighbor to homeless people in communities where I have lived. I love my homeless neighbors and wish them well. But I don't see how any good will come from continuing "OM support" for 24/7 occupation of the courthouse lawn through the winter.
Yours truly,
Vicki
I take exception to the notion that, "We all must do what we feel is best from our own perspectives." We all joined a local group that expresses, in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street, a national outrage at corporate governance of our nation. And yet, we as a group are becoming splintered by distractions such as the encampment. If something is not done very soon to focus the scattered energies of all occupiers in Missoula on a few common goals, our movement in this great city will likely not be standing in solidarity with anything or anyone.
I submit that we all must do what is in the best interest of Occupy Missoula in Solidarity with Occupy Wall Street. That means keeping our eyes on the big picture and strengthening the local movement. Occupy Missoula would be well-served if we could all put aside our personal opinions and agendas for a time and careful study the costs and benefits of keeping the encampment going in whatever form serves our objectives best.
The encampment has been the singular topic of most GA's. Dramas. Conflicting reports of conditions. Desperate calls for support from the most vulnerable members of our movement. I took several days off from work to try to figure out what was actually going on with the campers. What I saw at that time (when Biscuit, Kelsey, Robert and Rachelle were still there) did not reflect well on Occupy Missoula, not because of the campers but because Occupy Missoula was not supporting the encampment in a coordinated, effective manner.
It is my opinion that Occupy Missoula is too small to support a 24/7 encampment on the courthouse lawn. I for one have already given more money and more time to the support of the encampment than I can afford (even though I have favored de-campment since early November for practical and humanitarian reasons.) If those in favor of continuing Occupy Missoula support of a 24/7 encampment are willing to pony up the time and money it will take to maintain the encampment in a manner that effectively advances the goals and objectives of our movement, I say, present your plan and budget for this action for evaluation by all those from whom you expect support. But don't ask me for another nickel, I have already given more than my fair share to the encampment. And don't ask me for another minute of my time, because I choose to move forward with other work on behalf of Occupy Missoula.
In closing, so that that is no misunderstanding about the perspective from which this message comes, I have for decades been an advocate for and good neighbor to homeless people in communities where I have lived. I love my homeless neighbors and wish them well. But I don't see how any good will come from continuing "OM support" for 24/7 occupation of the courthouse lawn through the winter.
Yours truly,
Vicki